Means for displaying a flag



Nov. 13, 1962 F. s. sLlcK MEANS FOR DISPLAYING A FLAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. l5, 1961 INVENTOR. FEED 5. 50c/f Nov. 13, 1962 F. s. sLlcK MEANS FOR DISPLAYING A FLAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l5, 1961 n www INVENTOR.

il wl, Bx m m K5 5 5 Mw m W uw wv wwww United States Patent Oiiice 3,063,406 Patented Nov. 13., 1962 3,063,406 MEANS FOR DISPLAYING A FLAG Fred S. Slick, 37 Briar Lane, Rockford, Ill. Filed Aug. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 131,513 Claims. (Cl. 116-173) This invention relates to a means of displaying a ag, and especially to la method of securing the flag to a staff or support.

A conventional method of displaying -a flag is to place the stati or support in a socket which has been attached to a structure so that the statt` extends outwardly and the flag hangs downwardly in `a substantiallywertical position. The edge of the flag adjacent to the staff is held at one of its ends to the outer end of the staff in a well-known manner, such as lby a cord passing through a grommet or eyelet in the corner of the flag, and then through a means of fastening on the staff. The other corner of the ag is also provided with a grommet in which a cord is secured. The end of this cord is fastened to the staff by appropriate means.

This manner of displaying a iiag does not provide satisfactory means for maintaining the flag taut and snug with the staff but permits the edge of the flag to sag away from the staff, presenting an unattractive appearance unless frequently adjusted, especially if the iiag should become wet because of rain. The conventional method of mounting a flag also permits the latter to lose its rectangular shape and to assume an uneven appearance at the free end thereof.

yAn object therefore of this invention is to provide a dag-display means that automatically maintains the edge of the flag in a taut condition land closely-adjacent to the staff or support.

Another object is to provide a means of displaying a flag so that the latter will maintain a neat at appearance `and present a reasonably-straight edge at the lower free end of the flag.

Another object is to provide a means of displaying a ag that also permits compact and protective storage when the iiag is not in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed but includes all such lvariations and` modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention. It is also within the purvew of this invention to mount the stalf or support in a vertical position.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a typical embodiment of the invention in a means for displaying a flag;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of FIG. 1; specifically the means of anchoring one corner of the upper edge of a flag;

IFIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View showing a portion of FIG. l; specifically the means of anchoring the other corner of the upper edge of a flag;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary View taken in the direction of 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows the upper flag-mounting means applied to a Solid wood staff, being an alternate construction to that shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a modication of the lower anchor means shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7; and

FIG. 7 shows the flag-display means disassembled and with the staff members telescoped for storage, and with the flag in position to be wrapped around the staff.

The invention will now be described in detail:

Flag [10 can be of the conventional type and in this instance is displayed on a stati or support 12 which is mounted in a conventional socket; the latter may be secured to a building or other structure. The socket is not shown or need be further described as it is not a part of this invention.

Flag 10 has a reinforcing webbing 14 which is secured to the edge of the flag adjacent to the staff 12. A pair of grommets or eyelets 16 and 18 having openings, are provided, one in each end of webbing 14 and near the corners of the flag 1t).

.Staff or support 12 comprises a pair of snugly-telescoping tubes of metal or other suitable material consisting of upper tube 20 and lower tube 22. Upper tube 2t) is telescoped into lower tube 22 a distance sucient to assure rigidity when the stalf is assembled. Tubes 20 and 22 are of a length to permit convenient telescoping when the staff is disassembled for storage. Tube 20 has a ball 24 or other ornament of metal or suitable material, afxed to the upper end of the tube, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7.

An upper fiag-anchor 26 is provided in tube 20 adjacent to the ball 24, and a lower flag-anchor means 28 is provided in tube 22 at a position to suitably hold a ag when the staff has been assembled. Upper flag anchor 26 is of spring wire formed into a helix or spring `as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the axis of which helix extends outwardly from the periphery of tube 22. Initially, anchor 26 is wound with close coils as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2, and of a length suitable for the purpose. Anchor 26 terminates at the exposed end thereof in a hook or Hag-engaging hook portion 30 that engages the opening in grommet or eyelet 16. A hole 32 is provided in one side of the periphery of tube 20 adjacent to the ball 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, yand of a diameter substantially larger than the Wire from which anchor 26 is made, but smaller than the outer diameter of the helix and indicated as 27 in FIG. 2. Anchor 26 terminates in an end 34, and is assembled in tube 2i) in the following manner:

End 34 is separated from the adjoining coil of the helix 27 an amount suficient to permit the end to enter hole 32 so that the wall of tube 2t) at the periphery of the hole is embraced between the end 34 and the adjoining coil of the helix. Anchor 26 is then rotated about its axis: clockwise if the anchor helix is Wound in a right-hand direction, and counterclockwise if the helix is wound in a left-hand direction: In effect, anchor 26 With be threaded into hole 32 as sho-wn in FIG.V2. This threading operation is continued until end 34 contacts to opposite wall of the bore 36 of tube 20. In order to prevent anchor 26 from becoming loose, it is given slight additional rotation after end 34 has contacted the wall opposite to hole 32, thus expanding bore 36 and providing pressure on the helix to prevent rotation of the anchor.

Lower flaganchor 28 is identical with anchor 26 and has a hook or dag-engaging portion 29 and therefore need not .be further described in detail. Referring to FIG. 3, a hole 3S is provided in one side of tube 22, of a size indicated with respect to hole 32. Lower flaganchor 28 is likewise assembled in tube 22 by the same method followed with respect to anchor 26 in tube 20. Anchor 28 has an additional function which is to serve as a stop for the end 42 of tube 20 when the latter is inserted into the bore of tube 22. Anchor 28 is located axially from end 40 a distance that will assure sufficient lateral support Ifor tube 20 when inserted in tube 22. The distance between anchors 26 and 28, when the staff 12 has been assembled as shown in FIG. 1, should be such that the anchors will require tensioning when a iiag has been mounted. See also FIGS. 2 and 3.

When mounting a flag for display, tube :20 is inserted 3 into end 40 of tube 22 until the end 42 abuts the helix 27 of anchor 28, as shown in FIG. 3. Anchors 26 and 28 will then have the proper spacing to suitably hold the ag under tension. Grommet or eyelet 16 of flag 10 is then placed on hook 30. Grommet 18 is then placed on hook 29, thus tensioning anchors 26 and 28. Webbing 14 will now be taut as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The tension stored in anchors 26 and 28 will maintain this taut condition of flag and also secure end 42 of tube 20 in positive engagement with the helix 27 of anchor 28.

When it is desired to store the flag and staff, it is only necessary to remove the fiag 10 from hooks 29 and 30. Tube 20 can then be removed from the bore of tube 22. Tube 22 is then turned end-for-end, and end 42 of tube 20 is inserted into end 44 of tube 22 until the end 42 abuts the helix 27 of anchor 28 as shown in FIG. 7. The anchors 26 and 28 will now be approximately the same distance apart as when the ag was being displayed. Grommets 16 and 18 of fiag 10 are again placed on the hooks 30 and 29 respectively, thus holding tubes 2i) and 22 together as a unit. To complete the storage it is merely necessary to wrap flag 10 about vtube 22, starting as shown in FIG. 7. When completely wrapped, a plastic tube or envelope can be placed about the fiag and tubes to protect them from dust and injury.

While the above-described preferred embodiment is satisfactory, alternate constructions will now be described. Referring to FIG. 5, staff 46 is of wood for reasons of economy. A hole 48 is drilled of a size slightly smaller than the diameter of the helix 27 of anchor 26. The latter is then pressed into hole 48, and a retaining means such as a nail 49 is driven through staff 46 and between the convolutions of helix 27 to secure `anchor 26 in place.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the lower anchor indicated as 28 of FIG. 3. This modification shows an anchor 50 comprising a helical portion provided with a hook 52 to engage grommet 18. The other end of anchor 50 is provided with a mounting hook 54 which is inserted into hole 38 and extends axially along the bore of tube 22, to form an abutment for tube 20 in a manner similar to that performed by anchor 28, and shown in FIG. 3.

` Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim `as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A means for displaying a flag, comprising, in combination a longitudinal support provided with an aperture normal thereto, a flag anchor means of ywire comprising a helix portion, said helix portion being of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of said aperture, secured in said aperture and extending outwardly from said support and terminating in a flag-engaging portion.

2. A means for displaying a flag, comprising a tubular support having a bore axially therein and provided with a peripheral aperture opening into said bore, in combination a helical resilient fiag anchor having a helix of an outer diameter in excess of the diameter of said aperture and comprising wire of a diameter less than that of said aperture, said helix being spirally threaded through said aperture normal to said bore by rotation thereof about the aXis of Said helix so as to contact the wall of said bore opposite to said aperture, said helix being of a length to extend outwardly beyond the periphery of said support, and terminating in a flag-engaging portion.

3. A means for displaying a flag having spaced mounting apertures, comprising a support, and a rst and second flag anchor, said support comprising a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion, said first tubular portion telescoping within said second tubular portion, said first flag anchor comprising a flexible helical portion integral with said first tubular portion and extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a first flag-engaging portion, said second ag anchor spaced from said first anchor and comprising a hook and a second flag-engaging portion, said second tubular portion provided with a peripheral opening, said hook inserted in said opening to limit the extent of entrance of Said first tubular portion within said second tubular portion, one of said mounting apertures engaged with each of said first and second flag-engaging portions.

4. A means for displaying a flag as described in claim 3, in which the second flag anchor comprises a helical tension portion positioned lengthwise of said second tubular portion intermediate said hook and said second flagengaging portion.

5. A means for displaying a ag having spaced mounting apertures, comprising a support, and a first and a second ag anchor, said support comprising a rst tubular portion and a second tubular portion, said first tubular portion telescoped within said second tubular portion, said first flag anchor comprising a flexible helical portion integral with said first tubular portion and extending therefrom and terminating in a first flag-engaging portion, said second fiag anchor spaced from said first anchor and comprising a flexible helical portion integral 'with said second tubular portion and Aextending outwardly therev from and terminating in a second iiag-engaging portion,

one of said mounting apertures engaged with each of said first and second Hag-engaging portions, and means to limit the extent of telescoping of said first tubular portion within said second tubular portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

